title: Facial palsy complicated by masked otomastoiditis in a 3-month-old infant.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The most common cause of facial palsy is idiopathic or Bell's palsy. Although uncommon in the postantibiotic era, otomastoiditis should receive more attention as a cause of facial palsy, especially in young children. Delay of identification and treatment may result in permanent neurological sequelae.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe a 3-month-old infant eventually diagnosed with masked otomastoiditis with initial presentation of facial palsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We report a case of facial palsy complicated by masked otomastoiditis in a 3-month-old male infant. The facial palsy completely recovered after parenteral antibiotics and myringotomy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We use this case to emphasize that otomastoiditis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of young children with facial palsy. Diagnosis may be difficult as signs and symptoms of otitis media in young children are often nonspecific and subtle, particularly in infants. Early diagnosis and careful investigation of middle ear regions should be performed to avoid permanent sequelae.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Xin-Chun
authors.initials: XC
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chien-Wei
authors.initials: CW
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Taichung Armed Forces General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Hung
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, China Medical University Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chang-Ching
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008417:Mastoiditis / Q000150:complications; D010033:Otitis Media / Q000150:complications*
keywords: diagnosis; facial palsy; otomastoiditis; treatment